Media Statements

Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Grace Grace

Friday, August 10, 2018

Longreach STEM student one of the state’s best

Education Minister Grace Grace has hailed the achievement of Longreach State High School student Keely Perry for her success in the 2018 Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM education.

Keely has won $5,000 to further her knowledge and experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) after being named one of four outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in this year’s awards.

“These are highly prized and prestigious awards and to be recognised for her excellence is a tribute to Keely and to the exceptional quality of education students are receiving at Longreach State High School,” Minister Grace said

“There are just 25 of these awards for the whole of the state, for students, teachers, schools and support officers, and to win one of them is truly exceptional.

“I want to congratulate Keely and all those involved in her STEM education,” Ms Grace said.

“STEM is shaping the future and coding and robotics are capturing imaginations in classrooms all over the world and students like Keely are leading the way.”

The 25 winners include four teachers, two support officers, 16 senior students (including four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students) and three schools.

Minister Grace said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to improving STEM teaching across Queensland.

“The Government understands how important it is for Queensland students to have access to world-class teachers and technology and has allocated $81.3 million over four years to support STEM teaching in all state primary schools.

“We are making sure that teachers have the skills they need to engage their students to make the most of the opportunities being created by technology,” Ms Grace said.